Binnacle for marine vessels.



KAUFFMAN.

BINNACLE FQR MARINE VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1917.

Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

P. C. KAUFFMAN.

BINNACLE FOR MARINEVESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 191].

1,258,014. A Patented Mar. 5, 191& y

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

riniTaD sTATns PATENT onirica.

PAUL C. KAUFFMAN. OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOB TO MAX KUNER COMPANY, F SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, A CORPORATION 0F' WASHINGTON.

BINNACLE FOR MARINE VESSELS.

T 0 @ZZ 107mm it may Concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL C. KAUFFMAN, citizen of the United States, Vresiding at Seattle, in the county of King and State of lVashington. have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Binnacles. for Marine Vessels, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in' binnacles for marine vessels, and the object of my invention is to provide a binnacle which shall embody a mariners compass together with novel and reliably effective mechanism in associationwith steel magnets, which mechanismshall be adapted to be actuated to dispose said magnets in required relative positions with respect to said compass accurately to correct abnormal deviations thereof from the line of the magnetic poles of the earth.

l accomplish this object by devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of the operative parts of my invention as disposed within a binnacle case that isshown in vertical` mid-section;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in horizontal section on broken line 2, 2 of Fig. 1, showing only certain parts of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the same in horizontal section on broken line 3, 3 of Fig. 1, showing only certain parts thereof Fig. et is an enlarged view in front side elevation of operative parts of my invention; and

Fig. 5 is :in-enlarged fragmentary view in rearward side elevation of certain parts of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, throughout which like reference numerals indicate like parts, 6 designates the inclosing case of a binnacle, preferably made of cast bronze and provided with a circular base portion 7 that is adapted to be secured to the deck of a vessel.

A mariners compass 9 is disposed within the top vend portion 0f the inclosing case 6 where it is supported in a manner well known.

In a plane spaced from the bottom of the compass 9 within the inclosing case 6 1s an inwardly projecting annular flange 10, from which liange 10; the circular wall of the in- Speccaton of Letters Patent.

form of a hollow frustuni of an inverted cone) to an annular shoulder 11, thence downwardly (in the form of a hollow cylinder). to an inwardly projecting annular flange 12 there to merge into the circularA base portion 7, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

Fastened by screws 13 to the top surface of the annular shoulder 11 in al position concentric therewith is a disk 14 provided with a downwardly projecting hub 15.

F astened to the top surface of the annular flange 10 is a disk 1G to the upper sideof which is secured a concentrically disposed disk 17 that is provided on its upper side with a hub 18 and two oppositely disposed bifurcated lugs 19 and 20.

Projecting upwardly through the central portion of the disk 16 and rigidly fastened withina hole formed in the lower portion of the hub 1S is the upper end portion of guide rod 21, preferably made of non-magnetic metal` inthe form of a seamless tube, which rod 21 extends downwardly through the disk 14 and its hub 15, thence downwardly to project its lower end through the annular flange 12, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1, said rod.

21 being rigidly fastened in the hub 15 by a. p in 22. y

Fastened by screws 23 to the vtop surface of the disk 1-1 is the base 'plate 2ly of a bracket having an integral front side plate 25 and opposit'ely 'disposed integral end plates 2by and 27 which integral plates extend upwardly in vertical planes.

Projecting upwardly fromthe top edge portions of the end plates 26 and 27, adjacent to the vertical rearward edges thereof, are lugs 28 and 429 respectively.

Fastened byV a screw to each' of the lugs 28' and 29 is vthe lower end of a graduated scale bar, as scale bars 30 and 31, respec tively, which scale bars 30 and 31 extend vertically upward, parallel with each other, to and through the diskv 16 into the spaces between the bifurcated members of the lugs 19 and 20 where their top end portions are fastened by pins 32 and 33, respectively, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4.

VThe vertical axes of said scale bars 30 and 31 are each in the same plane and equidistant from the axis ofthe guide rod- 21.

Slidably disposed betweenl one side of the guide rod 21 and the scale bar 30, to be guided in its vertical moyements thereby, is

closing case extends downwardly V(inthe a'carrier block and slidably disposed be` Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

Application led May 9, 1917. Serial No. 167,605.

tween the other' side of said guide rod 21 and the scale bar31 is another' carrier block 35, said carrier blocks 34 and 35 each being bifurcated by a vertical slot in its outer edge portion slidingly to lit the adjacent scale bar, and each being provided with a vertical groove of semi-circular cross-section on its inner edge portion slidingly to lit the guiding rod 21, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2.

integral with the bottom inner edge portion of each of the carrier blocks 34 and 35 is a downwardly projecting lug (as lugs 36 and 37) to which is fastened the upper end of a toothed rack bar (as rack bars 38 and 39 respectively) which extends vertically downward, in sliding engagement with the guide rod 21, through the hub 15 of the disk 14 which is provided with a slotted opening therefor, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5.

ntegral with one side of the lower portion of the carrier block 34 is an L shaped arm 40 that projects therefrom in a horizontal plane, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2, and upon the top surface of said arm 40 is fastened by screws 41 a magnet-supporting bracket 42 whose base portion is of the form shown by plan view in Fig. 2.

Extending vertically upward from each of the four corners of the base portion of the bracket 42 is an integral upright member, as members 43, 44, 45 and 46, the members 43 and 44 being each provided with three spaced recesses, disposed one above another, within each of which may be removably disposed one end of a steel bar magnet (as one of the magnets 47) only two of said recesses being indicated Vand only by dotted lines 48 in Fig. 2.

The upright members 45 and 46 are each provided with notches 49 disposed to register in their vertical positions with the recesses 48 of the members 43 and 44, respectively, said notches 49 being each of a form to receive and support the other end of one of said steel bar magnets 47, whereby three magnets 47 may be horizontally disposed parallel with each other all'in the same verl tical plane spaced from one side of the guide rod 21, and-whereby three other magnets 47 may be horizontally disposed parallel with each other all in another vertical plane spaced from the other side of the guide rod 21 as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4.

lntegral with the lower portion of the carrier block 35 is an L shaped arm 50 that projects in a horizontal plane therefrom in a direction to dispose it on that side of the guide rod 21 that is symmetrically opposite the side of said guide rod 21 adjacent to the l. shaped arm 40.

Upon the top surface of said arm 50 is fastened by screws 51 a magnet-supporting bracket 52 whose base portion is of the form shown by plan view in Fig. 2.

Extending vertically upward from each of the opposite ends of the base portion of said bracket 52 is an upright member, as members 53 and 54, the member 53 being provided with three spaced recesses, disposed one above another, as indicated by dotted lines 55, which recesses correspond in function to the recesses shown by dotted lines 48 in Fig. 2.

The upright member 54 is provided with notches 56 disposed to register in their vertical positions with the recesses indicated by dotted lines 55, said notches 56 corre-v sponding in shape and function to the notches 49 of the members 45 and 46, whereby three steel bar magnets 57 may be sup ported with their axes horizontally disposed parallel with each other all in a vertical plane that is spaced from the guide rod 21 and that is at right angles to the vertical planes of the aXes of the magnets 47, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

Fixed in the upright members 43, 44 and 53 just above each of their respective recesses is the end of a spring, as springs 58, made of springy wire and disposed to extend adjacent to and in a lengthwise direction of the respective one of the magnets 47 and 57 to a point near the end of said magnet where the end portion of said spring is bent to a right angle to adapt said end portion yieldingly to press on the top of the end portion of said magnet releasably to maintain it in its position within the adjacent one of the notches 49 and 56.

The inner sides of the upper portions of the vertical end plates 26 and 27 are provided with integral ribs, as ribs 59 and 60 respectively, which extend rearwardly from the front side plates 25 to the rearward vertical edges of said'end plates 26 and 27.

Extending through the front side plate 25 and through each of the ribbed portions of the end plates 26 and 27 is a shaft bearing hole within which is journaled a shaft (as shafts 61 and 62) one of whose ends projects out of the front side plate 25 and mounted on such end portion is a star wheel, as star wheels 63 and 64 respectively, and adjacent to the outer side of said star wheel is a pin, (as pins 65 and 66 respectively) which extends transversely through said -shaft to project from opposite sides thereof,

whereby said end portion Vof said shaft is adapted to be rotated by a bifurcated socket wrench like the socket wrench 67 shown in Fig. 3.

The rearward end portions of the shafts 61 and 62 project outwardly from the rearward vertical edges of the end plates 26 and 27 respectively, and on each of such rearwardlv projecting end portions is fastened a pinion, as pinions 68and 69 respectively, the teeth of the pinion 68 being adapted operatively to engage with the 'teeth of the ma; bar se Whneihereahpf the pinie`n`69 'in la like manner engage with -fthe teeth of the rack bar 39, whereby rotative movements of the shafts 6l and 62 may raise and lower to different relative positions `(with respect to the compass 9) either or both of the rack bars 3S and 39 and the parts attached thereto.

Pivotally mounted on the front side plate 25 are two pawls 70 and 7l. disposed with their vupper end portions Vbetween the star Wheels 63 and 64 in such manner that vthe pawl may engage with the teeth of the star'wheel 63, while the pawl 7l Vengages with the teeth Vof the star wheel '64, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4.

A helical compression 'spring F72 is associated with `both of the pawls '70 and 71 in such manner that it ten'ds'to force the pawl 70 to swingintoengagement with the star wheel '63 and to force the pawl 71 to swing into engagement with the star wheel 64 in an obvious manner as indicated in Fig. 4.

The upper end portions of the pawls 70 and 71, on their back edges, are curved inwardly on a circular line that is concentric with the aXis of a shaft 73 that is mounted in the top portion of the front side plate 25, and mounted on said shaft 7 3 are a locking member 74 and a crank arm 75, said locking member 74 being of the form of a segment of a disk whose circular periphery is adapted to engage with the surfaces of the inwardly curved portions of the upper portions of the pawls 70 and 71 when the crank arm 75 is'in the position shown in Fig. 4, thereby to lock the pawls 7 O and 7l in engagement with the star wheels 63 and 6i respectively.

1f the crank arm 75 be swingingly moved for a sufficient distance toward the left hand` then, the pawl 71 will be unlocked to permit the shaft 6:2 to be rotatively moved by the application of a socket wrench, like the socket wrench 67, and in a like manner the shaft 6l may be rotatively moved upon swinging the crank handle 75 toward the right hand for a sufficient distance to unlock the pawl 70.

Thus, either of the pawls 70 and 71 may be unlocked without unlocking` the other thereof. A

IThe inclosing case 6 of the binnacle is provided with a door 76, as indicated in Fig. 3,

which door 76 is adapted to close an opening` through the wall of the inclosing case 6 which opening is disposed to give access to the front side of the mechanism within said inclosing case 6 to facilitate the operation of raising and lowering the rack bars 38 and 39 to dispose the magnets 47 and 57 in required positions with respect to the compass 9 to correct in an obvious manner abnormal deviations of said compass 9.

The operation of my invention, as emangular distance of -ten vdegrees from `Vthe line that extends between the-magnetic. poles of the earth, then, by means of the -socket 'wrench 67 one or both of lthe shafts 6l and 62 are rotated to actuat'e the respective one or both of the rack bars'SS and V39 as maybe required relatively vto dispose the magnets 47 and l5( at such different vertical distances from the compass A9 as will influence the 'compasscar'd of the .compass 9 rotatively to move in the )roper direction on its. pivot throughout an angular distance 'of tenfdegrees to va position where it will accurately point to the true magnetic north, whereupon the crank arm 75 is disposed in the .position shown in Fig. a to lock 4the pawls 7 0 and y71 so that the shafts 61 and 62 and the rack bars 38 and 39 will be immovable, then the socket wrench 67 is removed and the door 76 closed.

Each time after al deviation of the compass 9 is thus corrected a record for future reference may be made of the respective positions of the carrier blocks 34 and 35 on the respective scale bars 30 and 31 as indicated by the division marks on said scale bars 30 and 31.

Obviously, changes may be made in the forms, dimensions and arrangement of parts of my invention without departin o' from the spirit thereof.

That I claim is:

1. A binnacle of the class described, which embodies an inclosing case; a mariners compass operatively disposed in the upper end portion of said inclosing case; aconcentrically disposed guide shaft rigidly supported by suitable means within said inclosingl case to extend vertically downward from a horizontal plane near the bottom of said compass to a horizontal plane in the lower portion of said inclosing case; two suitably supported scale bars vertically disposed parallel with each other to extend in the same plane, one on each of opposite sides of said guide shaft and spaced therefrom; two carrier blocks slidably disposed one be tween said guide shaft and one'of said scale bars,`a.nd the other between said guide shaft and the other one of said scale bars; a separate magnetsupporting bracket attached to each ofv said carrier blocks; steel bar mag nets 'Y attached to each offsaid supporting` brackets; a separate toothed rack bar attached to each of said carrier blocks to eX- tend vertically downward therefrom; a shaft-bearing bracket rigidly supported within said inclosing'case; two shafts rotatably mounted in the bearings of said shaftbearing bracket; a toothed. pinion fastened on each of said shafts and disposed operatively to engage with the teeth of a different one of said rack bars; a star wheel fastened 0n each of said shafts; two pawls pivotally mounted on said shaft-bearing bracket in positions to adapt each of them operatively to engage with a different one of said star wheels; a locking member operatively associated with both of said pawls and adapted to be disposed to lock either or both of said pawls, as may be desired at diiferent times, in positions to prevent a rotative movement of either or both of said star wheels; and removable means adapted to be manually actuated to rotate a desired one of said shafts.

2. A binnacle of the class described, which embodies an inclosing case; a mariners compass operatively disposed in the upper portion of said inclosing case; two magnet supporting' brackets adjustably disposed beneath said compass within said inclosing case; two separate carrier blocks to each of which a different one of said magnet supporting` brackets is fastened; guiding,` supports for said carrier blocks; and operative mechanism adapted t0 be manually actuated independently to move Said carrier blocks in vertical directions each to a desired position relative to said compass, said mechanism including a locking member which is adapted to be disposed at dierent times to lock either or both of said carrier blocks in desired relative positions with respect to said compass.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3rd day of May A. D., 1917. PAUL C. KAUF F MAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtainecl for live cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner o! Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

